House Approves Bill to Address Opioid Crisis

House Democrats have long been working on solutions to the opioid the opioid crisis

(May 2) – The House approved Rep. Bri Buentello and Rep. Jonathan Singer’s bill to require certain health care providers who have prescriptive authority to complete substance use disorder training as part of their continuing education and prohibits a physician or physician assistant from accepting any direct or indirect benefits for prescribing a specific medication.

“This is an important bill that will help us address the opioid crisis that is devastating parts of Southern Colorado,” said Rep. Buentello, D-Pueblo. “This bill will help our neighbors, our friends and any Coloradan who is struggling with addiction get the treatment they need.”

SB19-228 requires a prescription for an opioid for outpatient use to bear a warning label; creates several grant programs to improve public awareness of the dangers of substance use disorders and improves youth treatment and pre-and-postnatal care for women. In addition, the bill introduces several other measures aimed at substance use disorder prevention.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” said Rep. Singer, D-Longmont. “This bill will ensure local community agencies and medical professionals can help divert Coloradans from addiction before it starts.”

The bill was approved on a bipartisan vote of 43-20. The bill goes back to the Senate for approval of amendments.